Wraps at Al Basha Restaurant in Kitsilano
Have house prices in Kitsilano made you re-consider your monthly budget plan? Is your landlord about to give you the yearly rent increase notice? Already taken that splurge-worthy vacay?
Perhaps it’s time to start saving some cash. Try one of these 4 budget-friendly restaurants in Kitsilano for your next bite, without having to sacrifice for quality and taste.
4 Budget-Friendly Eats in Kitsilano
1. A Casual Cafe with a Bonus
Some might still affectionately refer to it as Benny’s Bagels. While the name has changed ever so slightly to Benny’s Cafe, you’ll still find the same laid-back atmosphere here. The rustic wooden decor, the haggard-looking students, and the cheap eats haven’t altered one bit either from it’s hotspot days in the 80s and 90s. Benny’s staple soup & bagel menu item sits at an affordable $4.90. And, as a bonus, find free WiFi and $3.25 pints here too. Tip: this is a cozy place for those rainy days to come…
Benny’s Cafe, 2505 West Broadway, (604) 731-9730, Bennyscafe.ca
2. Healthy Japanese Option
If you prefer a clean, bright, and calm space for your sushi outing, compared to the junky, dark, and crazyness of the Eatery, then Green Leaf Sushi (just across the street) is for you. Owner and Chef Leo creates some beautiful rolls, uses only the wild kind of salmon we all appreciate, and his menu even features a kids combo. Fill up for under $15.
Green Leaf Sushi, 3416 West Broadway, (604) 568-9406, Greenleafsushi.com (website is being updated)
3. Middle Eastern Delights
Al Basha has been serving shawarmas to hungry Kitsilano residents for over 22 years. Best known as a take-out shop that’s open late (late like 3am late), all their meat is halal, they have good vegetarian options, and the service is quick and friendly. Try the “Al Basha” plate – it gets you a nice portion of chicken served with rice, hummus, pita, and a salad, all for $8.99
Al Basha Restaurant, 1937 Cornwall Avenue, (604) 336-2110, Albasharestaurant.ca
4. Parisian-style Bakery without all the Fuss
Can you tell this is one of our favourite places in Kits? French owner and baker Fabrice loves his job (even if he gets up at 4am every morning) at his Plaisir Sucre bakery on Arbutus, and it shows. He’s proud of his breads, pastries, cookies, and cakes, and his Parisian background, and he’s oh so fun to practice our official second language with. Try one of his simple but generously delicious sandwiches for under $8. There’s a kids play area too.
Plaisir Sucre, 2668 Arbutus Street, (604) 736-0515, (no website)
Last modified: July 29, 2014
